Amending Chapter 21 Generally known as the Zoning Ordinance Duties of the Historic Preservation Commission

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STAFF REPORT 8/18/76 PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE Summary of the Proposed Amendment The Historic Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance No. 5565 -73, amending the Zoning Ordinance of the City of South Bend, and Amendment No. 154A -1973 amending the St. Joseph County Zoning Ordinance) provides that within HP Historic Preservation Districts, the Historic Preservation Commission may, where the Commission deems it necessary, petition the Legislative Body for a moratorium on proposed construction, reconstruction, alteration, demolition, or moving of a designated historic landmark. The purpose of such a delay is to allow the Commission •.the time in which to prepare a plan for the landmark and /or the HP District in which it is located. a, The Legislative Body may approve the Commission's petition for a specified period of time, not to exceed one year, in accordance ..i• with the standards set forth in the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed amendment,_ Mkes this provision applicable to designated historic landmarks located other than in HP Districts. General Comment The moratorium issue was raised when the Historic Preservation Comission proposed extending the moratorium to a period of five years. Recognizing the possible ramifications of such a provision, the Commission requested that the proposed amendment be withdrawn. In the course of discussion surrounding the issue, it was brought to the Commission's attention that the existing provision is applicable only to designated historic landmarks located within HP Historic Preservation Districts. As a result of the completion of a survey of St. Joseph County, the Commission has proposed that a number of structures be designated as historic landmatks by the County Council. In order to provide some measure of protection to these structures, it has become apparent that the moratorium provision should be applicable to designated historic landmarks located other than in HP Historic Preservation Districts. A similar need may arise in the City of South Bend as well, and the proposed amendments amends both the County and City Zoning Ordinances.